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Corticotypic Technics in Tetrahymena Taxonomy *
Author(s) -
NANNEY D. L.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1966.tb01946.x
Subject(s) - tetrahymena pyriformis , tetrahymena , biology , taxonomy (biology) , evolutionary biology , ciliata , genetics , protozoa , zoology
SYNOPSIS. Strains of Tetrahymena pyriformis have a cryptic polymorphism reflected in the production of individuals with different numbers of ciliary rows (meridians). Within a strain certain cortical features—particularly the numbers and positions of contractile vacuole pores, the numbers of postoral meridians, and the stability of the cell type‐vary in a systematic way with meridianal multiplicity. A preliminary survey of strains representing 10 genetically isolated groups reveals several patterns of correlation of cortical elements. All the groups examined appear to be distinctive with the possible exception of the strains from syngens 6 and 8, which are known to be genetically compatible under certain conditions. These studies encourage a belief that the heterogeneous assembly of genetic species now sheltered under the taxonomic umbrella of T. pyriformis can soon be given independent morphologic identification and appropriate specific designations.